Five stories that have North Texas talking: Fort Worthian donates millions to environmental research; Rangers show off new ballpark designs; gas prices are going down; and more.
Fort Worth’s Ed Bass is giving $30 million to the University of Arizona to support Biosphere 2 — a massive, futuristic research facility situated in the Sonoran Desert.
Biosphere 2 Director Joaquin Ruiz says Bass' gift will allow continued research into global climate change and other "grand scientific challenges" affecting daily life, The Associated Press reports.
Bass says he's confident the university's stewardship will benefit the planet's long-term well-being. The billionaire investor and developer has been involved in the project since he helped create it more than 30 years ago, according to the Fort Worth Star-Telegram.
“Biosphere 2 has had a colorful past. While it has been around since the early 1980s, it came onto everyone’s radar screen in 1991 when eight people were sealed inside for a two-year experiment in self-sufficiency. Bass spent about $200 million to build the facility,” the Star-Telegram reports.
The university's announcement this week says the gift is the third major commitment by a Bass foundation to support the university's research and operations at Biosphere 2. [Fort Worth Star-Telegram, The Associated Press]
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- Texas Rangers and Dallas-based HKS Architects on Thursday unveiled design renderings for the $1.1 billion, retractable-roof ballpark set to open in 2020. Ground will be broken on Globe Life Field next week. [WFAA]
- Gas prices in Texas declined this week as recovery continues from hurricanes Harvey and Irma. AAA Texas on Thursday reported the average price was $2.48 per gallon. D-FW has the highest gas in the state at an average $2.51 per gallon. [The Associated Press]
- “Stronger” tells the story of Jeff Bauman, who lost in his legs in the 2013 Boston Marathon bombing. Bauman, and Jake Gyllenhaal, who portrays him in the film, spoke with Krys Boyd on “Think” this week. Listen to the podcast. The movie opens today. [Think]
- Who do you think would show up to the Fort Worth Zoo first: Jack Black or Jack White?
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